A Brief History of Diamonds

Diamonds, from the Greek, adàmas, (archaic root word of adamant) meaning unbreakable, are the hardest substance of carbon allotropes. It was discovered roughly around 3000 years ago, in Central Asia. A lot of experts, however, surmise that it could have been used as early as 6000 years ago. Recent finds indicate that the Chinese have been using them around 2500 BCE or later, although no sufficient evidence is enough to rewrite the decreed historical data.

Official records state that, around 800 BCE, Indians had made one of the most important discoveries of the ancient world. It was the discovery of the diamond. Although used largely for decorative purposes, and was somewhat spiritual by nature, the diamond has been known to be useful for polishing stone axes for burial rites and even as a tool to help with fine-tuning and polishing weapons, due to its hardness.

It was only during the Greco-Roman era that diamonds became a sort of rare medium for trade and gradually became one of the many symbols for luxury in that era aside from its supposed magical properties. There is a legend that Alexander the Great and his army were the first Europeans to arrive at the mythical Valley of Diamonds in Northern India and painstakingly imported them to Europe. Rumors surrounding the area were numerous regarding the myth of the Valley and the substance it produced. It is said that the Valley imbued the diamonds with talismanic powers and rewarded the bearers of the diamond strength and protection from evil spirits and the like. It is also said that the diamonds were used to help women in the birthing process. These parturition stones, as they were also called, were instrumental to the baby’s development helping them grow healthy and strong.

The myth concerning the importation of diamonds into Europe may have some truth embedded into it. The Greeks were certainly the first Europeans to praise the substance for its indestructible quality and laud it for its multiple applications.

The myth of the diamonds as having supernatural qualities survived well through the passage of years, after the fall of The Western Roman Empire and through to the Byzantine era. However, it was only during these times, in the dark years of the Middle Ages, that the diamond began to have a reputation for having evil effects. Miners, who were well aware of the myths of vitality-imbued characteristics of the gemstone, began stealing the jewels by swallowing them in small amounts. This led to the rumor injected by mining owners to discourage the theft of the valuables. They disseminated the rumor that the diamonds were poisonous and required spiritual guidance and almost divine intervention to reverse the side effects.

As the years passed and into the renaissance period, the mining consortiums of India began to experience a salient decline in its production of diamonds as demand began to increase. Even other mining syndicates around the world could not keep up with the ever-increasing need for diamonds. It was only when in South Africa, during the proto-industrial age, large deposits of the precious commodity were discovered, that the world’s largest diamond rush began.

It was also in these years that mining companies began to multiply as substantial deposits of diamonds began to appear and thus contend with the ever-growing demand for the gems.

Today diamonds are most commonly used in industry and for jewelry. They are used in engagement rings as a symbol of lasting love, in 14k diamond pendant for their brilliance and beauty and as adornment for watches as well as many other things.